University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust, which runs the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Edgbaston, was criticised in a report by pressure group Action On Elder Abuse.

The study highlighted findings by inspectors which warned that nearly a third of “do not resuscitate” orders in one ward had been placed on patients without any record of a conversation between the hospital and the patient or relatives.

A “do not resuscitate” order means that the hospital would not actively attempt to resuscitate the patients if their condition deteriorated and their life was threatened.

Inspectors from the Care Quality Commission said: “The audits showed that on the wards visited 70 per cent and 87.5 per cent of decisions did involve the person or their relative.”

The Care Quality Commission report, published in June, also praised the hospital for treating elderly patients with respect and providing high-quality accommodation. Action On Elder Abuse said it was concerned that hospitals were ignoring guidance on the use of the orders.

A spokesman at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust said: “The Trust believes that the appropriate discussions with families and patients regarding ‘do not resuscitate’ are taking place. It has recently reviewed its resuscitation policy and is currently implementing an electronic system that will produce real-time data and timely alerts.”